In photos: Massive, abandoned Detroit auto plant may become art magnet
The 40-acre Packard auto plant, which now sits ravaged after closing in 1956, may be turned into an area filled with art, residences and commercial properties. Packard made luxury cars and once employed 36,000 workers. A Spanish developer purchased Detroit's biggest ruin for $405,000 at a tax sale in 2013 and has now hired a Detroit architecture firm to bring it back to life with a European style. The architecture firm, Albert Kahn Associates is the same firm that designed the plant in 1903. Fernando Palazuelo, the developer, is hoping to raise $500 million for the project. The plant is only six kilometres away from downtown and is now used by photographers, scrappers and for paintball games.
The administration building of the abandoned Packard auto assembly plant stands in Detroit, Michigan, U.S., on Tuesday, April 21, 2015. Arte Express Detroit LLC Chief Executive Officer Fernando Palazuelo bought the Packard Plant in 2013 and is working to restore the site in hopes of bringing jobs and commerce to the neighborhood.Bryan Mitchell/Bloomberg
Kari Smith, director of development for Arte Express Detroit LLC, discusses the company's plans for the abandoned Packard auto assembly plant in Detroit, Michigan, U.S., on Tuesday, April 21, 2015. Arte Express Detroit LLC Chief Executive Officer Fernando Palazuelo bought the Packard Plant in 2013 and is working to restore the site in hopes of bringing jobs and commerce to the neighborhood.Bryan Mitchell/Bloomberg
Signage advertising Arte Express Detroit LLC's development plan stands at the site of the abandoned Packard auto assembly plant in Detroit.Bryan Mitchell/Bloomberg
The administration building of the abandoned Packard auto assembly plant stands in Detroit.Bryan Mitchell/Bloomberg
Signage advertising Arte Express Detroit LLC's development plan stands at the site of the abandoned Packard auto assembly plant in Detroit.Bryan Mitchell/Bloomberg
The administration building of the abandoned Packard auto assembly plant stands in Detroit.Bryan Mitchell/Bloomberg
A truck drives under the bridge that crosses East Grand Boulevard connecting sections of the abandoned Packard auto assembly plant in Detroit.Bryan Mitchell/Bloomberg
The abandoned Packard auto assembly plant stands in Detroit.Bryan Mitchell/Bloomberg
The abandoned Packard auto assembly plant stands in Detroit, Michigan, U.S., on Tuesday, April 21, 2015. Arte Express Detroit LLC Chief Executive Officer Fernando Palazuelo bought the Packard Plant in 2013 and is working to restore the site in hopes of bringing jobs and commerce to the neighborhood.Bryan Mitchell/Bloomberg
Debris lies on the floor of the administration building of the abandoned Packard auto assembly plant in Detroit.Bryan Mitchell/Bloomberg
A van drives under the bridge that crosses East Grand Boulevard connecting sections of the abandoned Packard auto assembly plant in Detroit.Bryan Mitchell/Bloomberg
A bridge crosses East Grand Boulevard connecting sections of the abandoned Packard auto assembly plant in Detroit.Bryan Mitchell/Bloomberg
A man, left, gets out of his car to photograph the abandoned Packard auto assembly plant in Detroit.Bryan Mitchell/Bloomberg
The abandoned Packard auto assembly plant stands in Detroit, Michigan, U.S., on Tuesday, April 21, 2015. Arte Express Detroit LLC Chief Executive Officer Fernando Palazuelo bought the Packard Plant in 2013 and is working to restore the site in hopes of bringing jobs and commerce to the neighborhood.Bryan Mitchell/Bloomberg
The abandoned Packard auto assembly plant is seen from the offices of Arte Express LLC in Detroit.Bryan Mitchell/Bloomberg
The abandoned Packard auto assembly plant stands in Detroit, Michigan, U.S., on Tuesday, April 21, 2015. Arte Express Detroit LLC Chief Executive Officer Fernando Palazuelo bought the Packard Plant in 2013 and is working to restore the site in hopes of bringing jobs and commerce to the neighborhood.Bryan Mitchell/Bloomberg